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The truth about Jalen Harris

So I've read a few comments about Jalen and why he's transferring. I'm pretty close with his family so here are the real facts about his current situation.

1. Yes, he is expecting to be a father soon. The baby isn't in NC. The baby is on the west coast. Has nothing to do with him deciding to transfer.

2. He's also not looking to be closer to home. UNM included, he's looking for the right program that will allow him to showcase his talent.

3. He requested his release from UNM because of Neal, simply put. Wasn't allowed to play an uptempo style, which is when they did it, they played really well last season. It's easy to say someone can't shoot when the coach didn't alllw you to shoot. Go back and look at the box scores. A consistent 3rd scorer never emerged because Neal didn't allow it.

4. Lastly, Jalen is still considering returning to UNM, along with a few Power 5 schools as well. I would expect a decision to be made here in the next week or so.

It would be excellent news if Jalen decides to stay - he would absolutely thrive in Weir's style of play! Talk about somebody who could play with his foot on the gas at all times - we couldn't do any better!

Jalen obviously has great talent, and i think he would be much happier in the Pit with Weir at he helm. I truly hope to see him back in The Pit. Oh, and as far as his jumper.... while some thought it was his weakness, i thought it was quite good. Sometimes it didn't fall, but he had a nasty pull, and fade away J. So i was never worried about that. What i was worried about, was how fast Neal was going to pull him from the game after he missed.

So I've read a few comments about Jalen and why he's transferring. I'm pretty close with his family so here are the real facts about his current situation.

1. Yes, he is expecting to be a father soon. The baby isn't in NC. The baby is on the west coast. Has nothing to do with him deciding to transfer.

2. He's also not looking to be closer to home. UNM included, he's looking for the right program that will allow him to showcase his talent.

3. He requested his release from UNM because of Neal, simply put. Wasn't allowed to play an uptempo style, which is when they did it, they played really well last season. It's easy to say someone can't shoot when the coach didn't alllw you to shoot. Go back and look at the box scores. A consistent 3rd scorer never emerged because Neal didn't allow it.

4. Lastly, Jalen is still considering returning to UNM, along with a few Power 5 schools as well. I would expect a decision to be made here in the next week or so.

Could it be that he should decide quickly? Hopefully he and Coach Weir will work that out.

I was reading through the board yesterday and saw some posters who said we needed a point who could shoot... wha?? As mentioned above, Jalen never got a chance to shoot. It seemed like he was pulled every time he pulled the trigger. Not to mention, Hunter can shoot as well. I'm sure Jalen will be an excellent scorer when he is allowed to be. I've always thought that he and Jefferson have the most potential on this team. It's amazing Neal got some of these kids to come here given the way he handled them during the season. Snake oil salesman...

Harris would THRIVE in this system with Weir. I really hope he considers staying. He was very smart and efficient with his shot attempts too. I would think with Weir, the reigns would be opened a lot more and he can showcase his talent while helping the whole team win.

I liked Harris and the way he played. What is interesting is when Neal was hired wasn't he telling folks he wanted to play quicker than Alford and get the ball up and down the court. I have been watching the Lobos for a long time and every single coach who has come here has wanted to play quicker but after a few games it always goes back to a slower tempo and coaches calling plays and slowing things down so they can control everything. I read someplace where Neal said he had over 400 offensive sets and was cutting it down to 90. Hopefully the defense can set the tempo for Weir.

So I've read a few comments about Jalen and why he's transferring. I'm pretty close with his family so here are the real facts about his current situation.

1. Yes, he is expecting to be a father soon. The baby isn't in NC. The baby is on the west coast. Has nothing to do with him deciding to transfer.

2. He's also not looking to be closer to home. UNM included, he's looking for the right program that will allow him to showcase his talent.

3. He requested his release from UNM because of Neal, simply put. Wasn't allowed to play an uptempo style, which is when they did it, they played really well last season. It's easy to say someone can't shoot when the coach didn't alllw you to shoot. Go back and look at the box scores. A consistent 3rd scorer never emerged because Neal didn't allow it.

4. Lastly, Jalen is still considering returning to UNM, along with a few Power 5 schools as well. I would expect a decision to be made here in the next week or so.

Hello CanMitchell, thanks for the info! Can you confirm if coach Weir is actively trying to keep Jalen at UNM?

You have to instill confidence in your players, recognize & allow them to do what they do best. That's the reason why they were noticed in the first place.

Originally Posted by pitwolf83

I was reading through the board yesterday and saw some posters who said we needed a point who could shoot... wha?? As mentioned above, Jalen never got a chance to shoot. It seemed like he was pulled every time he pulled the trigger. Not to mention, Hunter can shoot as well. I'm sure Jalen will be an excellent scorer when he is allowed to be. I've always thought that he and Jefferson have the most potential on this team. It's amazing Neal got some of these kids to come here given the way he handled them during the season. Snake oil salesman...

I mentioned in another thread that Jalen still needed a little work on his outside shot (definitely not that pull up jumper), but most of us here could see the "holding back" that was going on with multiple players on this roster. That must have took a great toll on everyone's confidence, and shooting a basketball has everything to do with confidence.

Hopefully Jalen sticks around, I really feel he would thrive in Weir's fast-paced system. No more of Neal's "pro sets" looking to only get one or two guys shots.

I was reading through the board yesterday and saw some posters who said we needed a point who could shoot... wha?? As mentioned above, Jalen never got a chance to shoot. It seemed like he was pulled every time he pulled the trigger. Not to mention, Hunter can shoot as well. I'm sure Jalen will be an excellent scorer when he is allowed to be. I've always thought that he and Jefferson have the most potential on this team. It's amazing Neal got some of these kids to come here given the way he handled them during the season. Snake oil salesman...

Harris' FG% was 44%.....26% from 3 point range...Imagine with a year behind him those numbers will rise

Thank you for sharing. I think Jalen and Jefferson could make for a killer back court. Jalen showed a lot of talent and I loved how he was faster with the ball than others were without the ball. I really hope that Coach Weir and Jalen can work things out but regardless I hope Jalen does what's best for himself and family and wish him the best. It should be a fun season and I am excited with the direction of the program I do hope that Jalen is a part of what we are building.

Yeah I've been a huge Jalen fan. This guy is quick, poised, and when he shot the ball he had a smooth jumper! Out of everyone on the team I've been looking forward to see what he could in the coming years. Stay and destroy these MWC teams Jalen. Don't get lost in a P5 team.

So I've read a few comments about Jalen and why he's transferring. I'm pretty close with his family so here are the real facts about his current situation.

1. Yes, he is expecting to be a father soon. The baby isn't in NC. The baby is on the west coast. Has nothing to do with him deciding to transfer.

2. He's also not looking to be closer to home. UNM included, he's looking for the right program that will allow him to showcase his talent.

3. He requested his release from UNM because of Neal, simply put. Wasn't allowed to play an uptempo style, which is when they did it, they played really well last season. It's easy to say someone can't shoot when the coach didn't alllw you to shoot. Go back and look at the box scores. A consistent 3rd scorer never emerged because Neal didn't allow it.

4. Lastly, Jalen is still considering returning to UNM, along with a few Power 5 schools as well. I would expect a decision to be made here in the next week or so.

Thank you for the information. It helps to minimize the speculation. For those of us who have watched the program over the past few years under Neal and those of us who watched Jalen, we knew that Jalen was being held back. You are 100% correct that when the team got out and ran it was successful and we really got to see what Jalen can do. I hope he decides to stay because next year's team should really be let go to run and run. With a focus on guards and more mobile big men, I think Jalen will really do well here.

Jalen has a unique gift of speed on the court. Coach Weir can develop that skill into a very good player. Not too many defensive players can maintain a defensive posture against someone who can break them down and drive past them easily. I think Jalen has that kind of potential. As to his shooting, well that does make for an improvement area over what we've seen last year. I feel confident that too will improve with Coach Weir. Stay Jalen...you know the layout...give us your best and let's see what happens. We want you back. GO LOBOS.

Let it be known that I speak for everyone in saying that ALL Lobo fans would love for Jalen to stay here at UNM. He is a very talented player and would fit well into the scheme that Coach Weir wants to play. Nonetheless, I wish him well no matter his decision.

This is what is crazy about Neal and last year......he recruited a very athletic group of kids yet CHOSE to play slow. I moaned and groaned about it all year last year this walking the ball up, micro managed offense we were playing! IF he would have played the game that matched the kids he had here, he would probably still be the coach! It is almost like he started over thinking or he just HAD to manage the game instead of letting the kids and their athletic ability shine! We absolutely have the athletes...just need a coach to bring them all together and make them into a team!!!! On top of this you look at the hoops IQ of this group and it is very high as well ( not always the case with athletic teams) The ceiling is the roof for this team next year....sorry fellas but I have very high expectations for you next year!!!!